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- Creators: School of Molecular Sciences
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Description
Organizational research provides important insight to communication practices in an institution. The research study examines organizational communication within a large university setting. Utilizing the outreach department as a sample population, this paper discusses the differences in perception of the organization created by power structures. These areas are discussed with respect to the mission of an organization, the constant changes of a university environment and the value and appreciation of employees in the organization. Organizational analysis is an important part of improving the effectiveness and creating open communication throughout an organization.
ContributorsHodson, Katelin (Author) / Edson, Belle (Thesis director) / Franks, Tara (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
Sports teams are an integral part of a city. They attract revenue to the area around the stadium and they also give a city a sense of pride. The aim of this study was to determine what makes a team successful in the area of attendance using four factors (Bernthal & Graham; Jensen; Kim, Trail & Magnusen; Edensor & Millington; Clowes & Tapp; Greenhalgh & Greenwell; Denaux & Yalcin; Paul & Weinbach & Robbins; Levin & McDonald; Lee & Kang; Drayer; L'Etang; McDonald & Rascher; Armstrong; Ross): the history of the team, the location and population of the city where the team plays, the social media following of the team and the promotional giveaways the team uses to attract fans. Using these four factors, a comparison was made among the Arizona teams and the top performing team in attendance in the respective leagues during the 2013 season. The Arizona Diamondbacks are compared with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Diamondbacks were not as equipped as the Dodgers in any of the categories. There is a more storied history for the Dodgers, the Dodgers play in Los Angeles - a significantly larger city that Phoenix, where the Arizona Diamondbacks play, they use social media more frequently and more effectively, and they offer more promotional giveaways than the Diamondbacks. The Phoenix Suns are compared to the Chicago Bulls. The Suns history competes with the Bulls, but they lack in the other three categories. The Bulls have a better location in Chicago, their stadium is located in the downtown area; they have a massive social media following and their promotional giveaways are more substantial. The Phoenix Coyotes are compared to the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks exceeded in all of the categories, while the Coyotes were poor performers in each of the four factors. The Blackhawks have a storied history, they share a stadium with the Bulls, they have a great social media following and they give promotional items away 30 of the 41 home games. The overall recommendations for the teams are to win, in order to help build their locations and make it fun to be near the downtown area, to use social media effectively and engage with their audience, and finally to provide more promotional giveaways to attract people to the games.
ContributorsDugan, Abby Leigh (Author) / Wu, Xu (Thesis director) / Matera, Fran (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
Isotopic analyses of archaeological and modern materials are commonly used to reconstruct diet, climate, and habitat. This study analyzes 15 camelid samples from three sites (two archaeological, one modern) in South America to determine their carbon and nitrogen isotopic values to further explore the relationship between stable isotopes and environments. Camelid individuals in the modern site of Cuenca, Ecuador had a diet of almost entirely C3 vegetation, while those in Chen Chen, Peru had slightly higher values, still consistent with C3 plants. Those in the higher altitude site of Pumapunku, Bolivia had higher δ13C values than expected, indicating they may have been foddered with a mixed diet. These isotopic data indicate that vegetation, and therefore herbivore diets, are influenced by altitude. Additionally, it was found that a positive linear relationship exists between δ15N values and aridity of a site. Results indicate that aspects of the environment such as aridity are reflected in isotopic signatures. These results contribute to the increasing amount of data on isotopic variation in South American camelids, both modern and archaeological.
ContributorsSpencer, Katherine Clare (Author) / Knudson, Kelly (Thesis director) / Reed, Kaye (Committee member) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
In Arizona, people flock the streets of Tombstone in droves, chatting in period costume while gunshots ring down the street. Others in Bisbee walk in the Queen Mine, listening to the tour guide discuss how the miners extracted ore. Still others drive up the precarious road to Jerome, passing through the famed Grand Hotel. As former Arizona mining towns, Tombstone, Jerome and Bisbee have a shared identity as former mining boomtowns, all of which experienced subsequent economic and population decline. Left with the need to reinvent themselves in order to survive, the past takes on a different role in each city. In Jerome, visitors seem content to "kill a day" against the backdrop of the historic town. In Bisbee, time seems stuck in the 1970s, the focus having shifted from the mining to the "hippies" who are considered to have resuscitated the town from near-extinction. Tombstone seem to inspire devotion, rooted in the influence of the 1993 film titled after the town. By memorializing portions of their past, these three towns have carved out new lives for themselves in the twenty-first century. As visitors are informed by the narrative of the "Old West," as shaped by the Western movie and television genre, they in turn impact how the towns present themselves in order to attract tourists. In all these sites, the past is present and like a kaleidoscope, continually recreated into new formations. While the designation of Jerome, Bisbee and Tombstone as "ghost towns" is disputed by individuals in each site, these stories of visitors and residents reveal the intricate ways in which these towns have acquired new life.
ContributorsLemme, Nicole Lee (Author) / de la Garza, Amira (Thesis director) / Paulesc, Marie Louise (Committee member) / Department of English (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
The purpose of this paper is to examine the existing bodies of research on the validity and value of cognitive intelligence and emotional intelligence in relation to top management teams (TMTs) and how those relate to TMT integration and firm performance. The approach of this paper is an aggregation and summary of empirical research to propose a theoretical model of how emotional intelligence directly relates to firm performance. Findings of several researchers show that cognitive intelligence matters to individual performance across the board and that emotional intelligence matters to leadership, team integration, and firm performance in various contexts. Practical implications are higher levels of emotional intelligence lead to high firm performance by augmenting high cognitive intelligence levels that executives already have. The unique context of top management teams provides original insight into the value of high emotional intelligence when trying to achieve TMT integration in order to reach better firm performance. Propositions and future research directions give way to further solidification of the thesis.
ContributorsBrandlin, Daniela Patricia (Author) / Peterson, Suzanne (Thesis director) / McKinnon, David (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Management (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
As the United States' military presences in Afghanistan and Iraq are being minimized, an increasing number of veterans are transitioning from the military to pursue higher education opportunities. Due to the military's organizational characteristics, socialization procedures, and performance requirements, this population of students likely faces unique barriers to success in traditional models of higher education. The increase of this unique population necessitates research to evaluate their educationally related social and relational needs so that institutions of higher education will be better able to assist in achieving their academic goals. The student-teacher relationship is a key predictor in students' academic success (Yoon, J. S., 2002). Using survey research, this project examines veteran students' perceptions of their relationships with instructors, characteristics of the organization, communication apprehension with professors and peers, and perceived self-esteem. With the assistance of the Pat Tillman Veterans Center at Arizona State University, approximately 3800 veteran students, in both undergraduate and graduate programs, were invited to participate in the research. The study identified significant relationships between a veteran-student's length of time since separating from military service, their feelings of success as a student, self-esteem, and apprehension of communication with professors. There was also a significant relationships on length of military service, self-esteem, and apprehension of communication with professors.
ContributorsMcconnaughy, Ryan Michael (Author) / Adame, Bradley (Thesis director) / Franks, Tara (Committee member) / Bernard, Daniel (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (Contributor) / School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
Classroom communication is imperative in the creation of a classroom environment that encourages participation and inter-student relationships. Several factors that may influence these variables, such as female-to-male sex ratio, have not been studied in depth. This study examined the impact of class size, female-to-male ratio, and teaching method on individual participation and class interactions. Class size was negatively related to individual verbal participation, classroom connection, classroom animation, and classroom intimacy and positively related to classroom nonimmediacy. Female-to-male sex ratio was positively associated with classroom connection, animation, and intimacy. Class activities were positively related to individual verbal participation, classroom connection, classroom animation, and classroom intimacy and positively related to classroom nonimmediacy. The use of videos in the classroom was positively associated with classroom animation and intimacy while other technologies were not significantly correlated with any variables. These findings suggest that the ideal classroom should have a small number of students and utilize interactive class activities. Furthermore, women should be encouraged to take classes that are traditionally dominated by men and future research should focus on how gender is connected to the variables in this study.
ContributorsHanks, April Nicole (Author) / Guerrero, Laura (Thesis director) / Martin, Judith (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of English (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
The gendered pay gap is a phenomenon experienced by many within the workplace. Title IX is presented because of its significance in aiding women to get fair and equal treatment, particularly in sports. Intersectionality is a research lens used to examine how the various aspects that make up an individual (e.g. race, class, sexuality, or gender) impact their life experiences, and is utilized to examine the experiences of athletes in the United States and overseas. The field of professional sports possess salary disparities and in order to analyze them between men and women in professional sports, case studies are presented. Case studies of basketball and soccer, along with interviews and secondary research, are utilized and analyzed to understand how the gendered pay gap continues to persist. In comparison to the United States, women are being paid significantly more in other nations. Women continue to go overseas because of money and the treatment athletes get from local fans. Fans in other nations love their athletes and view them as an expression of pride in their nation. Women in sports currently experience salary disparities and will continue to do so because of various factors.
ContributorsWeiler, Erika Morgan (Author) / Holman, Christine (Thesis director) / Koblitz, Ann (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
Even in today's society, we are still unsure of the limitless potentials of digital media. The digital media sector has, without a doubt, increased opportunities in marketing, sales and creativity within the fashion industry. Blogging has become increasingly popular with the efforts of commercializing high fashion. Social media has also revealed new opportunities for upcoming designers to establish themselves within their target audience. The creative uses of e-commerce also show the effectiveness and infinite possibilities digital media offers. With digital media reinventing the fashion industry, we are seeing a direct correlation between the technological advancement of a brand and their market success. Simply put, digital media is the future of the fashion industry. Technological advancements like digital printing and e-commerce tools like mobile purchasing trackers are proving to be the future of the fashion industry. Predictions for digital media in the fashion industry include a more advanced method of e-commerce, the continual usage of creative digital technologies such as holograms in fashion shows, and also the seamless integration of global markets. To gain a better perspective and knowledge of the roles of digital media in the fashion industry, Calypso Lawrence, the Public Relations Manager of fashion designer, Prabal Gurung was interviewed through email. RaeAnn Lukza, the CEO and founder of online retailer, Knee Deep Denim was also interviewed to better understand the development of e-commerce and the incorporation of social media.
ContributorsNa, Jennifer (Author) / Cheong, Pauline (Thesis director) / Gray, Nancy (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Community Resources and Development (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
This project was generated out of a desire to understand and explore a novel twist on a well-traversed route to happiness. I set out looking for a new perspective on fulfillment and found sustainable, everyday joy through gratitude. In doing so, I created a space where a group of people could practice and share gratitude as a community. Gratitude is familiar to most as a feeling, but putting intention behind gratitude turns it into an action, and even a virtue. In fact, Roman philosopher Cicero says, "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others." I created a Facebook community called Marvel at The Ordinary (MATO) applying principles rooted in the Theory of Change to express this greatest virtue. I found both success and earnest support from others in this novel approach to current gratitude practices. Defined by Dr. Robert Emmons, an expert in the science of gratitude, practicing gratitude is a two-step process: "(1.) affirming goodness in one's life, and (2.) recognizing that the sources of this goodness lie at least partially outside of the self." There is substantial research touting the worth of gratitude journaling, in fact, few things have been more repeatedly and empirically vetted than the connection between gratitude and overall happiness and well-being. Yet there is one facet ubiquitously overlooked in current gratitude research: what happens when gratitude journaling is shared with others? With anecdotal evidence, short-form interview analysis, thematic analysis of journaling lexicon, and a case study on the growth and engagement of Marvel at The Ordinary as a social movement, there is reason to believe that a social media-based community centered around gratitude may support and even enhance the practice of gratitude, which is typically practiced in isolation. It was also found that communities of this sort are highly sought after, based on the engagement within and growth of the Facebook group from 50 to 600+ members in a period of 2 months. MATO set out with the aspirations of creating a community which encourages others to gratitude journal, raising awareness about gratitude journaling, and building a community which fosters empathy, optimism, and awareness in an everyday sense. In each of these goals, overwhelming success was found.
ContributorsMccawley, Kevin William (Author) / Mokwa, Michael (Thesis director) / Huerta, Mark (Committee member) / Micevic, Vid (Committee member) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05